Berkeley police are investigating a brazen daytime theft at the Apple Store on Fourth Street, where masked individuals reportedly snatched around 40 iPhones. The incident, which occurred Thursday afternoon, adds to a growing list of similar crimes targeting the popular retail location.
Officers responded to the scene at 1823 Fourth St shortly after 12:40 p.m. following reports of a swift operation by the thieves. Witnesses described a white four-door SUV pulling up to the store, from which two or three individuals emerged, clad in black clothing and face masks.
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Eyewitness accounts detail how the perpetrators quickly entered the Apple Store and began grabbing iPhones. “They were pulling cords, running to different tables trying to get as many as they could,” a witness stated, highlighting the speed and audacity of the theft. Employees reportedly prioritized customer safety, allowing the thieves to proceed without intervention.
After amassing their haul of iPhones, the suspects swiftly exited the store, hopped back into the white SUV, and sped off, reportedly heading towards I-80. Security cameras at the Apple Store captured the entire incident, which is now part of the police investigation.
Exterior of the Apple Store on Fourth Street in Berkeley, a frequent target for thefts.
This latest incident is not isolated. The Apple Store on Fourth Street in Berkeley has become a recurring target for organized retail theft. Just last December, a similar crime saw three masked individuals steal over 40 iPhones. This prior theft occurred around the same time Berkeley PD had paused its retail security program, which previously included a dedicated police officer stationed outside the store.
In May, the same Apple Store location was hit again, with thieves making off with $52,000 worth of merchandise. Further incidents in August and another theft last week, where 30 iPhones were stolen, underscore the ongoing vulnerability of this retail outlet.
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Police are actively investigating the latest iPhone theft and are working to determine if it is connected to previous Apple Store burglaries in the Bay Area. While two individuals were recently prosecuted in connection to earlier Apple Store thefts, many cases remain unsolved, highlighting the challenges in combating these types of crimes.
Google Street View of the Apple Store on Fourth Street, Berkeley, location of repeated iPhone thefts.
The Berkeley Scanner continues to follow this developing story and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Berkeley Police Department.
